Kayak Paddle

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an improved kayak paddle with increased paddling efficiency, the paddle including one or more protrusions along the top and/or bottom edges of the paddle blades to impede the flow of water over the blades. In one aspect, the protrusions are on the top edges of the front faces of the blades and on the bottom edges of the rear faces of the blades to allow the same features to be facing the user upon a full one hundred eighty (180) degree rotation of the paddle about its axis. Alternate features such as integral drip ridges (minimizing water flow on a user&#39;s hands), integral leash ridges (for maintaining the location of the paddle rope or leash during use), paddle orientation indicators (to indicate the correct orientation of the paddle relative to the user during use), and reinforced blade tips (to increase blade buoyancy and minimize blade diving) may optionally be incorporated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the U.S. provisional patentapplication entitled “Kayak Paddle With Influence Edges and IntegralDrip Ring(s)”, having Ser. No. 61/895,793, filed Oct. 25, 2013, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forthherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to kayak paddles.More specifically, the present invention relates to kayak paddlesincluding features such as protrusions, drip ridges, leash ridges,and/or indicators.

Kayak paddles have long been known and widely used. Kayak paddles ofvarious types go back to use by natives of areas such as Greenland, theAleutian islands, North America, and Europe as a means of humanpropulsion for a single person, or multiple persons sitting in tandem,in a narrow watercraft commonly known as a kayak.

A kayak paddle commonly has two blades and a shaft between the blades.Kayak paddles are generally made of materials so as to be buoyant. Byholding the shaft, each blade is intermittently placed in the water andthen pulled through the water as a means of propulsion forward. Thekayak paddle can also be pushed through the water intermittently as ameans of propulsion in reverse. A kayak paddle may be used to turn akayak by placing one end of a kayak paddle in the water and pulling orpushing multiple times on only one side of the kayak. A kayak paddle canalso be used as a rudder to turn the kayak as it is drifting on thewater.

A kayak paddle can also be used to maintain the stability of, or returna paddler and kayak to, an upright position by sweeping the kayak paddleacross, or just below the surface of, the water. It should be noted thatfactors such as technique, body position, extension of the outstretchedpaddle blade, speed of the sweeping the paddle blade, and angle of thepaddle when swept can determine the success for righting the paddler andkayak.

The narrow, thin, tapered style of traditional kayak paddles ofGreenland, the Aleutian Islands, and North America have been widelysuccessful due to a relatively low angled stroke in relation to thesurface of the water, and the minimal air and/or wind resistance of theraised paddle due to its long narrow design. The narrow thin blades andlow angle of stroke all combine to minimize stress on the upper bodyjoints and muscles of the user during normal forward paddling usage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, in one aspect of the present invention, a kayak paddleis provided. The kayak paddle includes: a shaft having a longitudinalaxis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end; two blades, a firstblade attached to the first shaft end, a second blade attached to thesecond shaft end, the two blades each including a top blade edge, abottom blade edge, a front blade face, and a rear blade face; and aplurality of protrusions located on at least one of the front blade faceand the rear blade face.

Briefly stated, in another aspect of the present invention, a kayakpaddle is provided. The kayak paddle includes a shaft having alongitudinal axis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end; twoblades, a first blade attached to the first shaft end, a second bladeattached to the second shaft end, the two blades each including a topblade edge, a bottom blade edge, a front blade face, and a rear bladeface; two transitional sections, each of the two transitional sectionslocated between one of the two blades and the shaft; and fourprotrusions, two substantially linear protrusions located on the frontblade face of the two blades adjacent the top blade edge, and twosubstantially linear protrusions located on the rear blade face of thetwo blades adjacent the bottom blade edge, each of the four protrusionshaving a length slightly greater than one half of the length of one ofthe two blades.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodimentsthat are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kayak paddle in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the kayak paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the kayak paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the kayak paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the blade depicted in FIGS. 1-4taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the blade depicted in FIGS. 1-4taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the blade depicted in FIGS. 1-4taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the pairs of drip ridges of the paddle ofFIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the pair of leash ridges of the paddle ofFIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of one of the indicators of the paddle ofFIGS. 1-7; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a blade tip including a portion of one ofthe thickened sections of the paddle of FIGS. 1-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology may be used in the following description forconvenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower” and “upper” and“top” and “bottom” and “front” and “rear” designate directions in thedrawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the wordsabove specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similarimport.

Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventors also contemplateaspects of the invention described by the plural of that term. As usedin this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms“a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearlydictates otherwise, e.g., “a tip” may include a plurality of tips. Thus,for example, a reference to “a method” includes one or more methods,and/or steps of the type described herein and/or which will becomeapparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading thisdisclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods,constructs and materials are now described. All publications mentionedherein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Wherethere are discrepancies in terms and definitions used in references thatare incorporated by reference, the terms used in this application shallhave the definitions given herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 11, an exemplary kayak paddle 1constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present inventionis depicted. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, akayak paddle is provided that: 1) facilitates efficient usage, therebyreducing stress and fatigue on the paddler; 2) facilitates a low anglestroke; 3) impedes the ability of the water to run across the hands ofthe paddler; 4) facilitates the ability of the user to transport thepaddle and/or use the paddle while it is attached to a leash or ropewithout interference with same; and 5) increases the buoyancy of theblade tips. However, alternate embodiments of the invention areenvisioned in which one or more of these advantages are omitted withoutdeparting from the scope hereof.

Referring first to FIG. 1, in the depicted embodiment, paddle 1includes, inter alia, shaft 2, two transition sections 3, and two blades4. In the depicted embodiment, paddle 1 is made of a buoyant materialsuch as a closed cell solid foam core surrounded by a carbon fiber andepoxy encapsulation sheathing, but other materials may be substitutedwithout departing from the scope hereof including, without limitation,solid wood, a material having a wood core and non-wood sheathing, and amaterial having an air core surrounded by a sheathing. Exemplarysheathings include, but are not limited to, Kevlar®, fiberglass, andcombinations thereof.

Also, the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 1through 11 is configured as one solid piece formed to the shapedescribed herein. However, alternate embodiments are envisioned in whichpaddle 1 is fabricated from one or more pieces intended to be assembledand disassembled by a user. For example, blades 4 may be removablyattached to shaft 2 for compact storage or the like.

In the depicted embodiment, shaft 2 is substantially cylindrical with asubstantially circular cross-section and has a length of approximatelyeighteen inches (18″) for a paddle having a length of approximatelyninety inches (90″). However, shafts and/or paddles having varyingshaped cross-sections and dimensions may be substituted including,without limitation, oval and square cross-sections.

Each blade 4 extends along the longitudinal axis of shaft 2, tapersoutward vertically with the exception of blade tips 11 (See FIGS. 2 and4), and tapers inward along its depth (See FIG. 3) as the blade extendsdistally. Each blade 4 includes, inter alia, proximal blade section 7and distal blade section 9. Proximal blade section 7 interfaces to shaft2 via a respective transitional section 3, the latter of which alsoextends along the longitudinal axis of shaft 2, tapers outwardvertically (See FIGS. 2 and 4), and tapers inward along its depth (SeeFIG. 3) as the transitional section extends distally. This transitionmay be steep or gradual to create a hard or soft shoulder, respectfully.

Distal blade section 9 interfaces to shaft 2 via a respective proximalblade section 7 and transitional section 3, and it also extends alongthe longitudinal axis of shaft 2, tapers outward vertically with theexception of blade tips 11 (See FIGS. 2 and 4), and tapers inward alongits depth with the exception of blade tips 11 (See FIG. 3) as the distalblade section extends distally.

Distal blade sections 9 each include front face 5 and rear face 6 asdepicted in FIGS. 2 and 4, respectively. Each front and rear face 5 and6, respectively, includes a protrusion 13. Protrusion 13 impedes theflow of water over blades 4, for example, when the user utilizes astroke such as a forward canted stroke. This may occur, for example,when the top edge of the blade is tilted away from the user during aforward kayak propulsion stroke These impediments (protrusions) createmore efficient paddling strokes, thereby reducing the number of strokesper time period required to achieve the same results. This also reducesthe stress on, and fatigue of, the user.

Each protrusion 13 is substantially linear. For protrusions 13 locatedon front faces 5, substantially linear protrusion 13 extendssubstantially along top edge 17 of front face 5 in a manner in whichprotrusion 13 follows the tapering of the respective face and/or distalblade section 9. For example, in the depicted embodiment protrusion 13has a length of approximately eighteen inches (18″) for a paddle 1having an approximate length of ninety inches (90″) and the height H₁from the midpoint of the blade surface to the top of protrusion 13 isapproximately five-sixteenths of an inch (5/16″). However, varyingdimensions may be substituted for protrusion 13 and/or paddle 1 withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. Similarly, as best seen in FIG. 4, forprotrusions 13 located on rear faces 6, substantially linear protrusions13 extend substantially along bottom edge 25 of rear face 6 in a mannerin which protrusion 13 follows the tapering of the respective faceand/or distal blade section 9.

One exemplary shape for protrusion 13 is best seen in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 5 as taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2. Inthis exemplary embodiment, blade 4 has a substantially elongated ovalcross-section (when protrusions 13 are omitted), both protrusions 13have substantially triangular cross-sectional shapes, a first protrusionis inset slightly from top edge 17, and a second protrusion is insetslightly from bottom edge 25. Longitudinal outwardly facing surfaces 18of protrusions 13 are angled inward and upward at an angle ofapproximately twenty two (22) degrees. Longitudinal inwardly facingsurfaces 20 of substantially linear protrusions 13 are angled upward andoutward at an angle of approximately forty five (45) degrees and includerounded transitions 27 at their bases. Also, although blade 4 isdepicted as having a substantially elongated oval cross-section (whenprotrusions 13 are omitted), alternately shaped cross-sections may besubstituted including, without limitation, diamond.

The opposite orientations of the protrusions on front face 5 and rearface 6 ensures that the protrusions are always in the same positionrelative to the user as the paddle is rotated along its longitudinalaxis. Additionally, when a user rotates paddle 1 along its longitudinalaxis while performing, for example, a forward canted stroke, theseorientations of protrusions 13 ensure that there is always a protrusionat the top edge of the blade face facing the user as the front and rearfaces have identical appearances as they are rotated along thelongitudinal axis of the paddle. These orientations also increase thestructural integrity of blades 4. Since the depicted kayak paddle isgenerally of the traditional narrow and thinly tapered design, thisincreased integrity acts to increase durability and minimize the stressplaced upon the blades and consequently breakage thereof.

Another view of protrusion 13 is shown in FIG. 6, which is across-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 6,protrusion 13 is substantially uniform throughout is length with theexception of an inward taper 39 at its distal end. In the depictedembodiment, the inward taper 39 tapers inward at an angle ofapproximately twelve and one half (12.5) degrees, however, alternatetapering angles may be substituted, or such tapering may be omitted,without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, in thedepicted embodiment, protrusion 13 ends at the same point from which asubstantially triangular tip 11 begins as best seen in FIG. 6 and thefront view of FIG. 2. However, alternate embodiments are envisioned inwhich tip 11 is omitted, tip 11 includes one or more protrusions such asan extension of protrusion 13, and/or tip 11 has a non-triangular shapeincluding, without limitation, rounded or ovate.

As best seen in FIG. 11 and the cross-sectional view of FIGS. 6 and 7,in one embodiment of the present invention, distal blade section 9includes reinforced section 29. Reinforced section 29 has an increasedthickness relative to its surrounding thickness to provide additionalbuoyancy in the area of reinforced section 29, thereby minimizing thetendency of the blade 4 to dive deeper than intended by a user during acanted blade paddling stroke (which can throw off the user's stroke andefficiency) and to also assist with paddle stroke sweep surface recoveryusage (i.e., in which a user utilizes a paddle to return his or herkayak to an upright position).

In the depicted embodiment, reinforced section 29 has a substantiallydiamond shape (See FIGS. 2, 4, and 11), and tip 11 has a substantiallydiamond shaped cross section (See FIG. 7), the latter of which causesslight ridges 31 to extend longitudinally throughout reinforced section29 (FIG. 7 and FIG. 11). With a paddle made of a buoyant material, thisreinforced section 29 increases buoyancy at the distal ends of paddle 1.The size, shape and thickness of these reinforced sections 29 may bevaried without departing from the scope hereof. For example, althoughreinforced section 29 is depicted with a substantially diamond shape andcross-section, alternate shapes may be substituted including, withoutlimitation, circular, rectangular, oval, and teardrop. Also, ridge 31may be omitted without departing from the scope hereof

Referring back to paddle 1 as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 11, as bestseen in FIG. 8, depicted is an enlarged view of a pair of drip ridges33. In the depicted embodiment, drip ridges are integral to, andcompletely encircle the perimeter of, proximal blade sections 7. Also,drip ridges 33 have a substantially semi-cylindrical cross-section suchthat they have a rounded surface that is smooth to the touch. Each dripridge 33 disrupts the downward flow of water along a raised paddle bladein order to prevent or minimize the ability of water to reach the user'shands, which are typically located on transitional section 3 or nearthereto. In the depicted embodiment, each drip ridge has a radius ofapproximately one eighth inch (⅛″), and the pair is separated by adistance of approximately one (1) inch. The pair of drip ridges 33 arelocated about two thirds of the length of blade 4 from the distal end ofblade 4. However, varying dimensions, locations, spacing, and shapes maybe substituted without departing from the scope hereof.

Although the depicted embodiment shows two drip ridges 33, alternatequantities may be substituted, or such ridges may be omitted, withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. Embodiments are also envisioned inwhich drip ridges do not completely encircle the perimeter of proximalblade sections 7.

As best seen in FIG. 9, depicted is an enlarged view of a pair of leashridges 35. In the depicted embodiment, leash ridges 35 are integral to,and completely encircle the perimeter of, shaft 2. Leash ridges 35 areapproximately centrally located on shaft 2 and paddle 1 as a whole.Also, leash ridges 35 have a substantially semi-cylindrical crosssection such that they have a rounded surface that is smooth to thetouch. Leash ridges 35 allow a paddle leash or rope to be placed therebetween to facilitate leash of paddle 1 and to retain such leash or ropethere between during use of paddle 1 such that the leash or rope doesnot interfere with the use thereof (or the user's hands). Such leashesor ropes are typically used to tie the paddle to the user during use ofsame in order to prevent loss of the paddle should the user lose his orher grip on same. Ridges 35 act to minimize sliding of the leash or ropein either direction, thereby allowing a user to maintain a better holdof the paddle during use and leash thereof. In the depicted embodiment,leash ridges 35 have a radius of approximately one eighth inch (⅛″), andthey are separated by a distance of approximately three eights of aninch (⅜″), however, varying dimensions, spacing, locations, and shapesmay be substituted without departing from the scope hereof

Although the depicted embodiment shows two leash ridges 35, alternatequantities may be substituted, or such ridges may be omitted, withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. Embodiments are also envisioned inwhich leash ridges 35 do not completely encircle the perimeter ofproximal blade sections 7.

Turning now to FIG. 10, depicted is an enlarged view of indicator 37. Inthe depicted embodiment, two (2) indicators 37 are provided, one on therear and one on the front of one of the two proximal blade sections 7(See FIGS. 2 through 4). In the depicted embodiment, both indicators arelocated between drip ridges 33 and transition section 3 and are centeredvertically such that they are approximately located on the longitudinalaxis of paddle 1. Also, each indicator 37 is substantiallysemi-spherical such that it has a rounded surface that is smooth to thetouch. Indicator 37 is a visual and tactile indicator that informs theuser which of the two ends of paddle 1 is intended to be located to theright (or starboard) of the user during paddling. Such an orientationensures that the user obtains optimal use of paddle 1 and its integralprotrusions 13. That is, when a user is holding paddle 1 in front of himor her, the paddle will be oriented as shown in FIG. 2, with indicator37 to the right and with protrusions 13 on the top edges.

In the depicted embodiment, indicators 37 have a diameter ofapproximately one half inch (½″) and are located approximately threequarters (¾) of the length of the blade from the tip of the blade,however, varying dimensions, locations, and shapes may be substitutedwithout departing from the scope hereof. Although the depictedembodiment shows two indicators on opposing sides of blade 4, alternatequantities may be substituted, or such indicators may be omitted,without departing from the scope hereof. Embodiments are also envisionedin which indicators are a depression in the blade surface rather than aprotrusion or such indicators are in the form of a ridge that encirclesthe perimeter of blade 4.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A kayak paddle comprising: a shaft having a longitudinalaxis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end; two blades, a firstblade attached to said first shaft end, a second blade attached to saidsecond shaft end, said two blades each including a top blade edge, abottom blade edge, a front blade face, and a rear blade face; and aplurality of protrusions located on at least one of said front bladeface and said rear blade face.
 2. A kayak paddle wherein said pluralityof protrusions includes four protrusions, two of said four protrusionslocated on said front blade face of said two blades adjacent said topblade edge, and two of said four protrusions located on said rear bladeface of said two blades adjacent said bottom blade edge.
 3. The kayakpaddle according to claim 1 further comprising: two transitionalsections, each of said two transitional sections located between one ofsaid two blades and said shaft.
 4. The kayak paddle according to claim1, wherein each of said plurality of protrusions is substantiallylinear.
 5. The kayak paddle according to claim 4, wherein saidsubstantially linear protrusion section has a length slightly greaterthan one half of the length of one of said two blades.
 6. The kayakpaddle according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more drip ridgesencircling the perimeter of one of said two blades in a locationproximal to said protrusion.
 7. The kayak paddle according to claim 1,further comprising: one or more leash ridges encircling the perimeter ofsaid shaft and located centrally on said shaft.
 8. The kayak paddleaccording to claim 1, further comprising: one or more reinforcedsections located along a longitudinal axis of said paddle at a distalend of at least one of said at least two blades.
 9. The kayak paddleaccording to claim 1, further comprising: one or more indicators locatedalong a longitudinal axis of said paddle proximal to one of saidplurality of protrusions.
 10. The kayak paddle according to claim 1,wherein one or more of said plurality of protrusions is tapered at adistal end.
 11. A kayak paddle comprising: a shaft having a longitudinalaxis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end; two blades, a firstblade attached to said first shaft end, a second blade attached to saidsecond shaft end, said two blades each including a top blade edge, abottom blade edge, a front blade face, and a rear blade face; twotransitional sections, each of said two transitional sections locatedbetween one of said two blades and said shaft; and four protrusions, twosubstantially linear protrusions located on said front blade face ofsaid two blades adjacent said top blade edge, and two substantiallylinear protrusions located on said rear blade face of said two bladesadjacent said bottom blade edge, each of said four protrusions having alength slightly greater than one half of the length of one of said twoblades.
 12. The kayak paddle according to claim 11, wherein one or moreof said four protrusions is tapered at a distal end.
 13. The kayakpaddle according to claim 11, further comprising: one or more dripridges encircling the perimeter of one of said two blades in a locationproximal to said protrusion.
 14. The kayak paddle according to claim 11,further comprising: one or more leash ridges encircling the perimeter ofsaid shaft and located centrally on said shaft.
 15. The kayak paddleaccording to claim 11, further comprising: one or more reinforcedsections located along a longitudinal axis of said paddle at a distalend of at least one of said at least two blades.
 16. The kayak paddleaccording to claim 11, further comprising: one or more indicatorslocated along a longitudinal axis of said paddle proximal to one of saidfour protrusions.